The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-01-13
it of one dollar for each certificate issued un-


The Dirigo Mutual Accident Association
for which charter is asked, is intended to
carry on accident insurance on the assess
ment plan. 1t asks to hold real estate to a
value not exceeding $4,000. Annually it
would deposit with the State Treasurer as a
reserved fund an amount equal to ten per
cent. If its total receipts on assessments.
Philip p. Getchell, Horace c. Little and
other gentlemen of Lewiston and Auburn
are back Of the plan.
The State Printing.
The Senate today took from the table the
House order for committee to contract
with responsible parties to DO the State
printing and passed it. Messrs. Lumbert.
Gilbert and Gushee were appointed on the
part of the Senate. With them will be as
sociated the gentlemen mentioned in the
House order. The Senate order, which pro-
vided for letting the printing to the lowest
responsible bidder, was indefinitely post
poned.
interests of the Laborer.
If the laboring man fails to get the desired
legislation this winter, it will not be from
any lack of disposition on the part of both
House and Senate to help him. Probably
never in the Maine Legislature was there
session opened with such prospect of legis-
lation on the affairs of labor. The first
thing yesterday came a ten-hour law and
law for weekly payments. Mr.. Dow intro
duced resolve directing the judiciary COM
mittee to inquire into the advisability of leg
islation for the abolition of Imprisonment
for debt, and Mr.. J. II. Manley of Augusta
presented similar resolution relating to the
trustee process. Today a remarkable num-
Der of measures relating to labor have been
brought forward.
Senator Gushee, who is laborer himself,
and staunch friend of the laboring men of
Knox county, this morning introduced in the
Senate bill to abolish Imprisonment for all
forms of debt. He adds certain provisions
intended to except the capias or other pro-
cesses of the courts, ETC., from the operation
of his bill; but these provisions do not effect
the general intention of the bill.
In the House Mr.. Noble of Lewiston, lin
troduced today bill relating to the employ
ment of children in manufacturing, mercan-
tile and other establishments. The bill pro-
vides that no child under 12 years of age
shall be employed at all, and that parents
or guardians allowing it shall be subject to
fine. No child under fifteen years of age
shall be employed unless he shall have dur
ing the years previous attended school for at
least four months three continuously a
school taught by a competent teacher. Any
employer violating this agreement shall be
fined not less than $40 nor more than 500.
This bill differs from Mr.. Looney's in sever.
al particulars. Nothing is said about the
labor of women; mercantile pursuits are
specified, thus bringing stores within range
of the bill and it is specified that three
months of the schooling shall be continuous.
A bill for bureau of labor statistics in
trodueed in the House today provides for the
establishment of distinct department"
The object of this department shall be called
assort, systemmatize and present in annual
reports statistical details relating to all de-
partments of labor in the state, especially in
relation to the commercial industrial, social,
educational and sanitary condition of the
laboring classes. A commissioner to be ap-
pointed by the Governor, and to receive a
yearly salary of $1,000, and empowered to
employ assistance and incur expenses not
exceeding $500 year, is provided for by
the bill. THE commissioner is empowered
to collect evidence and call on State, county,
city and town officers for information.
Mr.. Wakefield of Bath has introduced a
bin to provide for weekly wages. Section
one provides that 'every employer of labor
and all corporations engaged in shlpbuilding,
manufacturing, mining, quarrying or
other merchantable pursuits, as also ali
railroads, telegraphs, telephone, express
and water companies employing laborers
whose wages are computed by the day, shall
pay weekly to each and every employe as
aforesaid employed" The absence Of an
employe on payment day does not affect his
right to payment. Section two exempts.the
wages for the six days precedingithe date of
payment from attachment or the trustee
process for debt. The other sections refer
to penalties, etc.
Mr.. Noble Of Lewiston has introduced a
bill relating to the exemption of personal
property from attachment and execution.
This bill is to amend Chapter 81 of the Re-
vised Statutes, so that the following will be
the exemptions in favor of the poor debtor:
The debtors apparel, household furniture nec-
essary for HIMSELF wife and children not exceed
ing three hundred [now ftyl dollars in value and
one bed, bedstead, and necessary bedding for
every two such persons.
The.tools necessary for his trade or occupation
and stock designed and provided 6p
him and necessary for carrying his trade or
business aud Intended to be used or drought
value, and enc sewing machine not exceeding one
hundred dollars for actual useby himself or fam
lily.
One plough, one cart or truck wagon, or one er-
press aUdgon, one harrew, one yoke with bows
ring and staple, two chains, one OK sled, and one
moving machine.
[The italics mark the portions not included
in the present law.
On motion of Mr.. Sleeper of Androscoggin
the Senate passed to-day aa order that the
committee ON labor be directed to inquire
into the expediency of some legislation pre-
venting the State prison entering into COM
petition through its convict labor, with its
citizen mechanics and manufacturers.
Portland Water Company.
An act additional to and amendatory of
chapter 159 Of the special laws of 1866, which
is an act to supply the people of Portland
with fresh water. The act presented to-day
is in one section, which is as follows:
The Portland Water Company is hereby author
lied and empowered to take up cancel and retire
securing the same, and in lieu thereof to issue
bonds for the payment of, or the refunding of its
Indebtedness and for the further construction of
its works, for such amount and upon such rate
and time as it may deem expedient and necessary,
not to exceed the sum of one hundred thousand
dollars in addition to the amount OF its present
bonded debt, heretofore authorized, and to secure
the same by mortgage or deed OF trust of the
franchises, property and estate owned by or to be
hereafter acquired by said corporation but such
mortgage shall not diminish the security Of the
bonds heretofore issued by said corporation re-
naming unpaid
Portland and Rochester Asks for
Right of Way.
Senator Donnell of Cumberland, brought
into the Senate this forenoon an act amend
atory of the charter of the Portland and
Rochester railroad. Section first of this bill
(Which is all there is to iH is as follows:
The Portland and Rochester railroad Is hereby
authorized to extend or build branch of its rail-
road from point at or near Green street in Port
and or Deering, thence northeastery across
Back Cove to and crossing Washington street,
thence easterly to a connection with the Grand
Trunk railway; and to change the present loca-
tion of any of its road within the above limits al
so to extend its road or branch thereof commen-
cling at poiut in the Mill pond on or near the
westerly side of said Green street. thence wester